AN: Thank you for the follows and favorites! Here's chapter 2! Please review and let me know what you think so far!

Chapter 2

Laylas POV

I can't open my eyes but I know I'm being carried. The person smells like leather, alcohol, and some kind of expensive cologne, it's a strangely enticing scent. I'm trying to remember why I feel so weak. Next thing I know I'm being set down on a soft surface.

"Get some rest beautiful." It's Damon, the vampire from the bar. Where am I?

I think I fall asleep because I'm seeing red everywhere. A dream…a nightmare? Everything is grainy and fuzzy. It's more flashes of images and sounds than anything. There's screaming and crying and gunshots. "Does four gunshot wounds really imply self defense?" I see his face, attractive and cruel. He's laughing at me. "Dumb bitch, do you really think anyone would help you?" His body is lying on the linoleum floor, contorted and bloody, a bullet through one of his pretty hazel eyes. The picture is no longer fuzzy, it's crystal clear. He's no longer intimidating, he's a joke painted in scarlet. I want to laugh in his beautiful bloody face just like he did to me.. I still feel nothing looking at his dead body. I've relived this moment in dreams so many times. I'm numb.

Damons POV

I bound down the stairs and into the living. The liquor is still calling to me. My daily trip to the bar was cut short by the new girls fainting deal. I guess I could have just left her there but I had actually been enjoying her company and I felt somewhat responsible for her. I have no idea why she passed out. It almost seemed like something I said bothered her. She was handling her alcohol just fine. Guess I'd fine out when she woke up.

Unfortunately for me my annoying little brother is sitting on the couch staring at me cautiously. "Got something to say pretty boy?" Stefan rolls his eyes and shakes his head. I sit on the couch opposite him. Might as well get this out of the way.

"I'm guessing you have a good explanation at to why you carried an unconscious girl up to your room?" Is it bad that I want to punch him the majority of the time?

"Well Saint Stefan, what do you think I was doing with her? Since you're obviously in an accusatory mood, enlighten me with exactly how bad I really am. Do you think I compelled her to pass out and then brought her back to my lair to have my evil wicked way with her. I mean she is tasty looking, I wasn't planning on eating her but maybe I will now, just to live up to your expectations brother." His jaw tightens and he purses those judgy little lips of his closed.

"Is that the woman Elena told me about? Layla?" His tone is softer. It's so easy to make him feel guilty. I wasn't really upset. Being snarky towards Stefan was just second nature. I'd have to actually try to have a normal conversation with my brother.

"Yep. She either couldn't handle her alcohol or my charms, so out of the goodness of my heart I brought her back here." I smirk and take a large gulp of my bourbon before getting up to pour some more.

"She just passed out? That's kind of strange. Maybe finding out about us was a little too much on her." Stupid, self loathing, whiney, guilty ass sounding Stefan. Jesus Christ, everything bad that happens to everyone in the world is not your fucking fault!

"The thought of sleeping with me just excited the girl too much; it's a pretty common occurrence." He rolls his eyes at me again.

"Elena made it sound like Layla was intelligent, I highly doubt any woman with an ounce of self respect would jump into bed with you. Drunk sorority girls are one thing Damon, actual smart women are another." I chuckle at how oblivious he really is, it really doesn't take much for me to get women into bed with me, all kinds of women.

"Oh don't sound so jealous Stefan. You'd think after all these years you'd be used to the fact that all women find me much sexier than you." I really do love my quick wit.

"All women except Elena." It's like a punch to the gut. His eyes widen at his own statement. I can tell he feels guilty that the response ever left his mouth. His eyes are wide and guilty. Yea I'm pissed. Pissed that the bastard would say that and even more pissed because its true.

"Damon, I'm…" I stop him with a glare and a raised hand.

"One more word and I'll break your fucking neck Stefan. Just stop while you're ahead." He shrinks back at my harsh words and bows his head. Luckily I hear movement from upstairs and quickly turn on my heel away from Stefan and the truth his words held.

Lyalas POV

I have no idea where I am. The bed I am in is way bigger and more comfortable than my own. Hell the room I'm in is practically the size of my whole house. Its impecibably decorated. I can see into the attached bathroom, I'd always loved bubble baths and the large tub is just calling to me. But where the heck am I?

"Have a nice nap sleeping beauty?" I jump when I hear the voice beside the bed. Damon is standing there with a smirk on his face. Now I remember what happened. I remember the words that caused me to have such a dramatic reaction. Get a fucking grip Layla.

"I'm so sorry. I haven't been eating or sleeping enough and all the stress from the move plus the alcohol must have gotten to me. I feel like such an idiot." I'm lying through my teeth but he doesn't have to know that. I came here to start over, no one needs to know my past.

He plops over dramatically onto the bed beside me. "Oh don't worry about that sweetheart, I'm used to having that effect on women. Your secrets safe with me." He whispers the last part and I can't help the giggle that escapes my mouth. His vanity is charming for some unknown reason.

"I'm sure you are. Thank you for everything but I really should get going; I think I've burdened you enough today." I stand up too quickly, the room spins as the blood rushes to my head. I faintly see Damon speed over to me faster than should be possible before I fall flat on my face. His strong arms support me and I let out a weak chuckle.

"Neat trick, I'm sure it comes in handy with all of the girls going weak at the knees over you." He laughs against my neck and it sends shivers down my spine.

"Let me drive you home. I'd blame myself if you fell down and got a concussion." I glare at him in mock annoyance and that signature smirk graces his too perfect face.

Damon keeps barely a step behind me as I descend the stairs of his home. Holy shit this place is huge! Everything is dark wood and antique furniture, it's really very beautiful. Elena is standing in front of a large fireplace talking to a man that looks our way as I reach the bottom of the stairs. He too is attractive, just in a different way than Damon.

"Hello again Layla. How are you feeling? Stefan said you fainted." The green eyed man must be Damons brother and Elenas boyfriend.

"I'm fine. I think I've just overexerted myself lately." Elena smiles warmly at me. I like this girl already. If I ever would have believed vampires existed before today I definitely would not have pegged Elena as one.

Elena's companion steps forward and holds his hand out to me, I shake it with a smile. "I'm Stefan, it's nice to meet you." Just from one sentence I can tell he's different from his brother. He seems kinder, and definitely not sarcastic or full of himself like the Elder Salvatore.

"As much as I'm sure Layla would love to stay here and play charades and twenty questions with the welcome brigade I think she needs to get some rest, so I'm going to take her home. " All three of us turn and glare silently at Damon. He was such a smart ass. He grins and pushes me forward with a hand on my lower back.

"Lets go princess."

I turn and wave to the two vampires in the living room. "It was nice meeting you Stefan! We should get together sometime Elena." They both wave in return.

"Definitely!"

Damon has me pushed out the door and in his pretty old car in no time.

"Has anyone ever told you you're kinda rude? Your brother seems much nicer." His smug expression falters for a moment..

"Oh, many people have. But deep down I know everyone's just jealous of my all around superiority."

I wonder if this man can be serious. But do I really want him to be? He's just hiding himself behind a carefully placed sarcastic façade. He's much the same as me. Knowing this I really don't want to find out what has him so obviously closed off. I know why my walls are in place and if his secrets are anything like mine he has good reason to not show his true self. He's in pain.

We're in front of my house in a few minutes and Damon has my car door open before I can even blink.

"Why pretend to be a gentleman when you're obviously not?" He laughs as he walks me to the door.

"It's been a long time since I've found someone who's company I genuinely enjoy, especially someone who's as stunning as you are." His eyes rake over my body and I feel myself blush. I push the unwelcome butterflies from my chest and roll my eyes.

"You are so full of it."

"So are you going to invite me inside and thank me for saving you from getting a bump on that pretty little head of yours?" I scoff and shake my head.

"I don't think so buddy. You can't come in as long as I don't invite you. I have a feeling you're the kind of creep that would hide in my closet and watch me get dressed or something." He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I can't help but giggle again.

"You already know me too well Ms. Aston." I step through my doorway and haughtily smile at the man that can't enter unless I ask him to. His arms are crossed over his chest and he looks amused. His expression quickly turns to something more serious. For some reason my heart drops and I know whatever leaves his mouth next is going to be something I don't want to hear.

"Why did what I said earlier make you react that way? I'm not stupid, I know it's something I said that made you freeze up and pass out. But how in the hell could some simple words make that happen?" He was curious, too curious. Panic and anger flare up inside me.

"Goodnight Damon." And without another word I close the door and watch his confused and intrigued expression disappear.